The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-09-21
The Centennial.

The great constitutional Convention is over
and well over. Nothing happened to mar
the smoothness Of the occasion save pitiful
and feeble attempt on the part of Governor
Foraker Of Ohio TO make political capital OF
an imaginary slight from Mrs. Cleveland
From the accounts 1t Is absurdly untrue
Mrs. Cleveland is universally acknowledged
to be polite and even gracious to one and oil,
and this attempt Of Ohio's Governor to pose
MS martyr Will not blind the eye OF the pub
lie to the recent battle.flag episode.
Abbeville was we'll represented at Philadel-
phia. On Governor Richardson's staff was
Gen. NJ. l.. Bonham, Col. w. c. MCGOWAN and
Capt. J.. w. Parkcr-a special aide for the oc.
casion. They report a glorious time. They
travelled all the way to Philadelphia in the
Presidents car of the Columbia & Greenvillc
Railroad, which was provided with sleeping
apartments, q good cook and plenty of good
things to eat. They say they are specially
indebted to Mr. Cardwell, the general passen-
ger agent of the road, who accompanied them
and was untiring in his kindness and atten-
ton. He was presented by the party with
handsome gold-hcaded cane as token OF
their appreciation of his kindness.
w
put on General Sheridans staff. The staff
consisted Of forty-the Generals regular stan
and one from each Of the thirteen original
States-and they with General Sheridan rode
ut the head Of the magnificent military pa
rade of thirty-two thousand men. At re-
reption given to the staff Mr.. MCGOWAN re-
sponded to n teast to South Carolina. He
also, by invitation, made short address to
reunion of the Grand Army Of the Republic
ut one of the Philadelphia posts. We have
no doubt that, rs usual, he did both himself
and the State credit
Gen. Honllam was also called on for
speech by the attending companies from
South Carolina. and we are told acquitted
himself wcll-addressing himself most ap-
9rately to the North and to the meeting Of
reconciliation and peace.
Our representatives report n royal well
come That great consideration was pnid to
the "Gray.JacketS" wherever seen, and that
receptions and banqucts and al unccasing
popping of champagne corks was the un-
ending order OF tho day and night.
To illustrate this good feeling we were told
of tho following incident: Governor RiclI-
nrtlSon's quarters at the Lafayette Hotel was
Immediately opposite the famous Union
League Club. Our State uniform being gray
was very dis!inguiShable from the blue Of
the regular army, and gentlemen Of the Club
could see distinctly across the narrow street.
on one occasion n member OF the Cnb-a
Jolly fine fcll0w-sccing the staff in the win.
dow opposite, put his hands TO his mouth and
said:
"He:lo! Johnnie Rcb! Have you got any
tobncco?'
General Bonham. holding up piece Of the
Southern weed, said:
"Ycs, will You have chd'c"
"Come over and we'll swap whlskey for to-
bacco.'
The pleasant banter was accepted-sereral
Of the staff went over and glorious time
was had In this swell Republican club be-
tween the Blues and the Grays.
The utmost good will prevailed, and the
party now believe that the grand old city
does deserve her title OF "Brothorly Love-